Pfizer taps Loretta Ucelli as new communications SVP

Pfizer has named Loretta Ucelli, formerly the communications chief for Columbia University, to serve in the new position of senior vice president, corporate communications. Ucelli heads a team of seven direct reports responsible for media relations, internal and executive communications, Internet, intranet and information centers. She reports to vice chairman, general counsel Jeffrey Kindler, who also heads corporate affairs. Before joining Columbia, where she was executive vice president, communications and external affairs, Ucelli served the Clinton Administration from 1999-2001 as director of communications and assistant to the president, working with the chief of staff, press secretary and policy advisors to map communications strategy. Prior to that appointment, she had handled communications tasks for the Environmental Protection Agency.Pfizer's product communications staff, responsible for U.S. pharmaceuticals, continues to report to U.S. pharmaceuticals president Pat Kelly and vice chairman Karen Katen.